Karma

by Midnight Freemason Contributor
Bro. Brian J. Schimian

Well, Karma is running on time…

This particular day was a little crazy for me. I always seem to be getting stuck behind a truck, the car that wants to do 5 under the speed limit and even a truck and trailer spewing gravel on the front of my new truck. I have been tasked with a rather mountainous task at work with rebuilding the reputation and ability of a company to be a viable contender in the market for Fire & Industrial Safety Equipment.  Not insurmountable by any means, but I am up against a lot of damage that needs controlling.  Especially if I want to maintain my employment… No pressure.

So, in the midst of an aggravating day, I had to stop for lunch because I really shouldn't be walking into a Fire House on business during lunch. That is the number two way to lose any and all respect as a vendor. The first way is to get caught lying… Hence the damage control edict from my new boss. It is no secret that I have been away from the area for some time now. Every place I drove to that I used to like was closed. By the time I found a pub, I was starving and "hangry" to say the least. I sat at the end of the bar so I would have room to spread out and do some work on my computer. A lovely lady came and sat a few seats from me and then her friend (another lovely lady) sat next to her. I moved my computer to the other side so it wouldn't be in their way or make them feel cramped. We had some good conversation between us and the bartender and from what I could hear, the first lady doesn't get out much and both of their lives are kind of hectic.  Nothing serious, but the trivial things that everyone deals with on a daily basis. It is funny how assessing someones situation in life from the outside makes it seem like they are blowing their woes out of proportion. Perspective is a funny thing. One thing that this process always seems to make me do, is revaluate how I am perceiving my own woes. I reflected a bit and kind of chuckled at myself. In only a few days I have seemingly fixed the issues with this account (that the previous boss had said to write off) and they are already asking for prices and placing orders with me. I don’t expect much given the damage that has been done and the circumstances or the way the Fire Service works… Want to be out of business fast, do over one Department and the rest of the County (and more) takes their business elsewhere.  And there are plenty of companies slinging gear.

I typed a note on my phone and showed it to the hostess while the ladies weren't looking asking that the bartender put their bill on my tab (they only had salads and a few glasses of wine) and keep it quiet. I knew I had the means to make their day a little better, if only for a little while and I wouldn't be going hungry over it. I paid the tab and left the bartender a nice tip for taking care of everything. It was the least I could do for having an enjoyable lunch and being put back on center.  I can say that without a doubt, I took more away from that small break in my day than those ladies received in a free salad and glass of wine.

I went about the rest of my work day and when I got home, I checked my bank account.  To my surprise, two weeks of pay, last months reimbursement and my tax return had been deposited into my checking account. I was able to pay off $3K in credit card bills and start this chapter of my life in the black. It is a round world, Brethren...  remember the lesson of the Trowel in the Third Degree. Spread the Light and Love, it really does come back multi-fold.  There are blessings all around us every day, we just need the ability to see them.

~BJS

Bro. Brian Schimian is Life of Member A.O. Fay #676 in Highland Park Illinois and the Medinah Shriners - Lake County Shrine Club. He was also the Past Master Counselor of DeMolay - Lakes Chapter in 1995. Most recently, Brian became a Companion of the York Rite, joining Waukegan Chapter #41 R.A.M. Brian is a father of two children. You can follow his blog "It is. In God. I do." where he publishes even more excellent content. "Start Square, Finish Level"

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.